June 23, 2005

Cactus Apples

Show me a cactus apple and I am immediately transported to El Faro beach near Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico. Along with the intense autumn heat and the fragrance of insect repellent, comes my mother's voice urging me to "find some more ripe ones!"

Mom loved Cactus Apple Jelly, and this was about the only place we could find cactus in Puerto Rico. So I picked, picked, and picked some more, till my gloves were thoroughly torn and Mom was satisfied.

I thought about Mom while I was on a mission trip in Juliaca, Peru, last month. Two wheelbarrows were parked on the corner of the main downtown plaza. Both held piles of cactus apples. Ripe cactus apples in shades of red, green, yellow, and orange! I could almost hear Mom's voice asking if I would like cactus apple jelly on my toast. I stopped, focused my camera on the contents of one wheelbarrow, and took two photos. My stopping brought two ladies running, hoping that I would be buying. But, since there is no way to bring fruit into the USA, I smiled, thanked them for the memories, and walked on through town.

There wasn't even a sign saying, "Cactus apples for sale." Just ancient wheelbarrows parked in the shade, filled with fruit, waiting for customers. Juliaca is above 12,000 feet in elevation and the growing season is short. Somehow, I had never thought of cactus apples as a cash crop, but in Juliaca they bring good prices. Each of the wheelbarrows held more than a month's wages, money that would keep a couple families healthy for part of the coming winter.

When The Creator took Adam and Eve on their tour of earth, He stopped often to point out delicacies. Red Raspberries, peaches, corn on the cob, asparagus, cactus apples...all were on His list of "gifts."

"They are all for you," He smiled. "And these cactus apples, they'll make an awesome jelly!"

Dick Duerksen
Assistant Vice President
Mission development
Florida Hospital